Saturday April 13, 2013

GE13: Karpal: Certain individuals to contest parliamentary, state seats

KUALA LUMPUR: The DAP will allow only one or two individuals to contest both parliamentary and state seats in the general election (GE13) for strategic reasons, said its chairman Karpal Singh.

He said the party had yet to finish the job of picking candidates and it would likely last up to the eve of nomination on April 20.

The DAP's candidates are selected by a four-man committee comprising Karpal, adviser Lim Kit Siang, secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and party disciplinary chief Tan Kok Wai.

Karpal said the committee met two days ago and among the matters discussed was the “one candidate, one seat” arrangement.

“Among the major issues discussed was who should be given exception. There is still room until next week for further deliberation on the candidates list,” Karpal said, but did not elaborate.

A party insider said the selection committee had also looked into the issue of Indian candidates after some DAP parliamentary incumbents said their numbers were expected to drop compared to the 2008 general election.

Currently, nine DAP leaders hold parliamentary and state seats, among them Guan Eng, who is Penang Chief Minister, party national organising secretary Teresa Kok and Penang Deputy Chief Minister Dr P. Ramasamy. - Bernama

For more election stories, please visit The Star's GE13 site

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